“TRANSGENIC FOODS AND SOME ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES”

I.DESCRIPTION

A transgenic is a living organism which has been created artificially by manipulating its
genes that is to say, the DNA segments of a living being are isolated for after being
introduced into the hereditary material of another. A case in point is transgenic corn
that carries genes of bacterium that allow it to produce an insecticidal substance. The
science in charge of carrying out these procedures is Genetic Engineering which has
been working in this industry for 25 years.

Now, the transgenic foods also known as  genetically modified organism (GMO) are
created in laboratories where there is a gene to insert besides of a marker gen. This
gene to insert is introduced for example in the plasmid of a bacterium and shortly
afterwards this bacterium infects the cells of the plant, the gene to insert and the
marker gene so that it is transferred to the chromosomes of the plant cells. Then, the
cells are put in an antibiotic culture. Those that have integrated the genetic modification
survive, consequently of them, the transgenic plants grow.

Actually, corn, soy, rapeseed and cotton are grown. These plants have two types of
genetic modifications: the insecticidal property or herbicide tolerance. In Europe, the
institutions only see eye to eye with the cultivation of corn since March 2010, the potato
“Amflora”, the imports of soy for food as well as the imports of cotton for the textile
industry. This as a result of behind these prohibitions, it’s believed that there are
political and ideological interests, however, these don’t have scientific reasons.

ADVANTAGES OF GMOs: Genetically modified organisms reduce the use of

agricultural control inputs. Furthermore, they allow higher efficiency without increasing
planting areas. They don’t invade the habitat of different species and have a less
environmental impact.

On the other hand, GMOs increase agriculture without tillage, save insect and pest
crops and also contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide.

DISADVANTAGES OF GMOs: The insertion of foreign DNA in an unwanted position

within the genome of any plant can enhance, silence or disrupt the processes of protein
production and at the same time its DNA can be contaminated.
 If we don’t face the music, the long-term health risks of GMOs in our diet or of animals
could produce new allergies, the appearance of new toxic substances and unexpected
effects.

II. CONCLUSIONS

1. Transgenic foods are currently a great advance in Genetic Engineering that improves
agricultural practices.
2. There isn’t evidence yet about that GMOs may be affecting wild species or have a
negative impact in the environment.
3. The topic of transgenic foods is very sensitive to public opinion because some
institutions have political interests above the welfare of society.

III. SUGGESTIONS

1. As this is a controversial topic, we must inform ourselves more about GMOs to avoid
spreading erroneous information.
2. We are living in a society with great scientific progress therefore, it is necessary to
adapt our needs according to new technologies while they don’t affect the
environment.
3. Those who work in the field of genetics must strive to get that transgenic foods are
inoffensive to humans and work ethically.